A New Year and the Year Just Passed

Happy New Year!

Now that we've rung in 2018 (well, to be truthful, I slept through it), it's time to reflect on the year just past. It was a tumultuous year, no doubt, in politics, weather, and publishing. The U.S. White House is in turmoil, and Britain voted to leave the European Union. Hurricanes and blizzards hit the East Coast while drought and wildfires (including one only a few miles from my home) plagued the West Coast. In publishing, e-book sales plummeted or soared, depending on you listen to.

As I look back at 2017, I must say I have no complaints. I had eight short stories published last year, including mystery stories, horror tales, and science fiction. I gave a well-received talk on how to write realistically about violence to the San Diego chapter of Sisters in Crime, and began taking part in the International Thriller Writers' Thriller Round Table discussions.

My latest Linus Schag, NCIS, thriller, The Butcher's Bill, was published in June to good reviews and was named 2017's Best Mystery/Suspense Novel by the Best Independent Book Awards.

Looking ahead, 2018 promises to be an exciting year for me. Pens, Paws, and Claws has scheduled an interview with me for January 17. Crimson Streets has bought another short story from me with publication scheduled for this summer.

Book-wise, I am currently moving all my books out of Kindle Select and into wider distribution channels, including Barnes & Noble and Apple iBooks. I have commissioned new covers for The Killing Depths, Eden, and The Last Refuge. And an audio version of The Killing Depths is currently in production and should be on the market in a few months.

Finally, I recently finished the first draft of my new military sci-fi thriller Polar Melt. I expect it will be ready for publication sometime late in 2018. Stay tune for more news in the coming months!